Chapter 1 Secret

It was late at night, and the manor was bustling with voices.The Martinez family was New York's largest mafia family. Today was the birthday party for its leader, my nominal grandfather Jordan.

Everyone considered it an honor to attend the party. They tried everything to curry favor with the Martinez family members.

Only I was excluded.Because I was just the adopted daughter of Jordan's eldest son Christian. Just an unwelcome adopted daughter.

"Miss, please take these cakes to the front hall." Susan held a tray of desserts and pleaded helplessly. "I know you don't want to go, but we're really swamped."

Susan was one of the few people in this house who was kind to me. I didn't want to refuse her.

Just as I reached the door, a familiar voice rang out. "What are you doing here?"

It was my adoptive mother Savannah.My heart tightened. I slowly turned to look at her. I silently pointed to the desserts in my hands, indicating that I was just delivering them.

My adoptive mother frowned and called over a server to take the tray from me. "Maria dropped her brooch in the back garden. Go find it for her."

I'd known for a long time that Savannah didn't like me. Like the people outside, she thought I was Christian's illegitimate daughter. Even on the first day I was adopted ten years ago, she held a gun to my head and wanted to kill me.

If Jordan hadn't stopped her, I probably would have died long ago.Even after Jordan explained repeatedly that I was just his friend's orphan, she refused to believe it.

Over the years I'd discovered that as long as I acted meek and timid, she was too lazy to bother with me.

That suited me fine.

"I wondered why it smelled bad here. Turns out there's a bastard wandering around."

As I passed through the corridor, Maria appeared from somewhere. She looked at me with disgust.I could see the brooch pinned properly on her dress. I understood Savannah's intention. She just wanted to get rid of me.

"A mute is a mute. Can't even talk back."

I lowered my head and pretended to be helpless as Maria scolded me. After a few boring insults, she turned and entered the banquet hall.

Finally she was gone.

I hurried to the back garden and quickly climbed the biggest oak tree.In the entire Martinez estate, this was the only place where I could feel at peace.I sat on the oak tree's branches, listening to the lively laughter. But I was calculating how much longer until I could leave this place.

Suddenly, the sound of something heavy hitting the ground startled me.I cautiously gripped the tree trunk and looked down.

It was Eli, my nominal uncle!He wore a black silk shirt with the collar casually open. He was playing with a gun in his hands like a noble young master. But the muscle lines occasionally visible showed he wasn't simple.

A man beaten bloody was pinned to the ground by his assistant Walker.

Eli impatiently stepped on the man's fingers. "Tell me, who made you betray me?"

The man struggled and revealed his profile. It was actually Henry's deputy!I was so scared I quickly covered my mouth and quietly backed away.If Eli knew I'd witnessed this scene...I couldn't help but shiver. I hid myself better.

"Looks like you have a hard mouth." Eli sneered and pulled out his gun, pointing it at the deputy's forehead.

The deputy begged in terror. "Please, I really didn't betray..."Bang!Eli simply fired the gun, his face cold. "Traitors have only one fate. Death."

The deputy's terrified eyes were still open. When Eli kicked him, our eyes met directly!I was so scared my whole body trembled. I gripped the tree branch tightly to avoid falling.

"Who?!"The shaking branches caught Eli's attention. His sharp gaze immediately looked over.I couldn't hide in time. I looked directly at him!

In my panic, I didn't care about anything else. I quickly slid down from the tree and ran toward my room.

I hoped he didn't remember my existence and hadn't seen my face clearly!

In my confusion, I didn't hear Walker quietly ask Eli, "The adopted daughter? Do we need to handle this?"

"I'll do it myself," Eli answered with a sneer.I ran all the way back to my room, breathing heavily as I looked out the window.Eli and Walker's figures had long disappeared. They probably wouldn't bother with this anymore, right?

Still worried, I locked my door and curled up on the bed, not daring to sleep.As long as I got through tonight, I could tell Jordan about this. He would definitely protect me from being killed by Eli.

Just as I was drowsily about to fall asleep, my door handle was suddenly turned!I looked at the door in terror and grabbed the dagger under my pillow, gripping it tightly.After shaking for a while, my door handle suddenly went quiet.Had he left?

I hesitated for a moment, then barefoot and gripping the dagger, I approached the door.I pressed my ear to the door panel, wanting to hear if he'd left. A low male voice suddenly spoke. "Open the door."

It was Eli!My whole body started trembling!In these ten years, although I hadn't had much contact with Eli, I'd heard Susan and others mention him many times.

Legend said he was the most vicious person in the family hierarchy. If you fell into others' hands, you might still have a chance to survive. But almost no one who fell into his hands lived.

Unfortunately, he was Jordan's most beloved son. Jordan had even arranged an engagement with the Nash family's daughter for him early on. He was the most likely person to inherit the Martinez family.

If I fell into his hands...I shivered with fear and looked around frantically. My gaze fell on the glass window.If I jumped out the window, I might still be able to find Jordan for help!

I gritted my teeth and rushed to the window. Looking at the three-story height, I felt a bit scared. This jump would probably break a leg!

But a broken leg was better than losing my life!

I steeled myself and climbed onto the windowsill. I closed my eyes and jumped...

"Try jumping again."Eli's mocking voice rang out. My whole body froze. I didn't dare move at all.

A cold object was pressed against my waist. It was a gun!"Get down."

The gun barrel behind me moved. I didn't dare disobey. I could only obediently climb down from the windowsill.

Eli coldly approached me and grabbed the dagger in my hand, pulling it away.I resisted a little, but Eli's gun was already pressed against my forehead. The cold touch terrified me.

I released the dagger and frantically signed: [I really didn't see anything! I promise I won't tell anyone.]

Eli made an impatient sound. "I can't understand what you're saying. Since you saw something you shouldn't have, just die."

He suddenly grabbed my neck and quickly tightened his grip. I struggled and grabbed his wrist, but couldn't shake him at all.

I was going to die!